It's Not Overrated

I thought Boracay is just overrated by everyone. When you ask them where they want to go, they will instantly say "Boracay". And since we don't want to go where everyone wants to, we have not added it to our list.. for a long time. Until we finally got curious of what's in Boracay that even foreigners are hooked to this little island. We then decided to go there with our friends. Why not?! There's a seat sale! 

No regrets. It is not overrated. It is really a paradise. Powdery white sand.. Unlimited adventures.. What an awesome wonderful island Boracay is.

Photo on the left was created using Volo app. 

10 Things to Visit and Do in Davao City

Since we’ll be coming back to Davao this November, We’ve thought of listing our top 10 based on our trip last 2011.

#1. Jack’s Ridge – the best time to come here is during the night where you can see the view of Davao while having a sumptuous dinner. It is also a great place to take pictures because of the nice landscape. The city lights, food, singing group that will serenade you while eating, perfect for a great dinner.

Off to Tacloban with No Itinerary and Reservations

We usually have set itineraries, cost estimate, and accommodation reservations when we go somewhere. But this time, we don’t. Pure adventure.. fun.. and excitement.

Six months before our flight, there was a promo with Cebu Pacific. As promo-grabber as we are, we booked to any destination where there are still promo seats available. Just trying out any destination in the list… Puerto Princesa – sold out. Dumaguete – sold out. Tagbilaran – sold out. Davao – sold out. Boracay – sold out. Tacloban – taaadaaaan!!! We do not know what’s in there, but we booked flights for the 4 of us.

A little research told us Mc Arthur landing shrine is there.  Not sure if we can pass by the famous longest bridge in the Philippines, San Juanico, but, we put it in our list. And that's it. We did not bother to research more until the date is really fast approaching.

November came and we'll be flying to Tacloban already. Bembem can’t come with us due to work schedule. Mika had hesitations because Bem can’t come with us. And if Mika won’t go, and so as Bevvy Joy. Poor Weng, I’m the only one left! :(

But… wait wait wait...  Bevvy Joy texted me 2 days before... She asked if I still want to go to Tacloban. Of course I said yes. And she also liked to go. We’re now going! High five! :)

I tried to book a hotel 12 hours before our arrival. As expected, all hotels I called were all fully booked. I also asked for quotations for tours but they were all too expensive. Good luck to us.

Upon arrival at Daniel Romualdez Airport in Tacloban, we called the other hotels I haven’t called yet. So lucky, Bevvy Joy found one. Leyte Park Resort is so nice. We enjoyed the pool and the everyday breakfast buffet. 

Also at the airport, we found a van that can tour us around the whole city and bring us to Sohoton cave in Samar. Now, that’s what we call adventure, wonderful and fun memories worth looking back.

Historical? Yes!

Leyte Provincial Capitol

 

UP Tacloban

Madonna of Japan

Balyuan Tower

Sto. Nino Church

Sto. Nino Shrine

There are other places that we've visited such as the famous McArthur Landing Monument, Rafael's Farm, and San Juanico Bridge which is the longest bridge in the Philippines!

Nature? Of course. We also went to Sohoton Cave in Samar.

Actually, after the tour, we just realized that we do not need a van to tour around the city. They are just near each other we can even just walk around except for the Rafael's farm, San Juanico bridge, and McArthur Shrine.

Boracay + Palawan = Borawan

Have you been to Boracay? How about in Palawan? How about Borawan? Yes, you’re reading it right. There really is a place called Borawan.

It got its name, obviously, from these two tourist spots, Boracay and Palawan. It has rocks like the ones you’ll see in Palawan and sand like in Boracay...

A Night at Dampalitan

If you know Anawangin Cove in Zambales, Dampalitan is something similar to it because of the pine trees... The sand is not that fine unlike in Puting Buhangin and Borawan but it is where you can enjoy swimming especially when you're going during the rainy season...

Picture Taking at Puting Buhangin

So what would you expect? From the name of the island itself, you’ll already know what you’ll see. This is our first destination and among the three islands, this is our favourite. The fine white sand... the grass... the shade... the cave... everything is beautiful!

A Weekend at Borawan – Itinerary

Do you want to escape from the busyness of the city? Its pollution and noise? Well, aside from the destinations found at nearby provinces such as Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas, there is one found also in the southern part of Luzon... and don’t worry, it is not that far... and it has white sand.

Have you heard of Borawan? Yes... it is not Boracay... and also not Palawan... but Borawan...

happy hearts day!

A heart that is as hard as stone.
Oh yeah, it is really a stone found on
our way to Capones Island lighthouse.

Feb 14 is really fast approaching. And what’s with the date?
Looking at a usual calendar, it is “St. Valentine’s Day”.
To single ladies and gentlemen out there, it is “Single Awareness Day”.
To those in a relationship, it is “Lover’s Day”.
To sick people, it is "Another Day to be Thankful For".
To busy people, it’s just an “Ordinary Hectic Day”.
To us, it’s our “Meeting Day”. Hehehe.

By the way, since it is February and you’ll see lots of heart decors everywhere, I’ve thought of sharing our pictures with hearts. Some are obvious, and some, you’ll have to figure out...

pearl farm

We went to Davao last January of this year and we were so excited to be at the largest city of the Philippines. What we do not know is that there’s more waiting for us on our second day there.

Yes, we’ve done our research and saw pictures of Pearl Farm Beach Resort in the Internet. But, we didn’t expect what we’ve seen and experienced... the place is really really really awesome!!! And the service is really fantastic! You’ll experience the best service you’ll have...

up north: palaui island and anguib beach

White sand. Nice view. Nature. Travel. Swimming. What place comes to your mind? Is it Boracay? Puerto Galera? Palawan? Camiguin? Bantayan? Bohol? Dakak? Have you noticed that all of them are in southern part of the Philippines?

How about going somewhere north? There's Potipot Island or Capones Island in Zambales, Casiguran in Aurora, and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte to name a few.

And if you are willing to travel farther that is not far as Batanes, you might want to go to Palaui Island and Anguib Beach in Cagayan...

puerto galera

Summer is just around the corner and I bet you are already looking forward for a beachy escapade. But... your budget is limiting you to stay inside your cube! Or you don't have time to take a time off...


Well, don't you know that not all travels are expensive? And not all require you to take an extra 2 or 3 days off from your work... 

Cone in Albay

When I was still an elementary student, I always read about this volcano that is in perfect shape found in Bicol region. And I always wanted to see for myself if it is really shaped a "perfect cone". It is an active volcano located in Legazpi City, Albay. Near yet so far. Near from Manila because it is still in Luzon, but far because if you'll be traveling by land, you need to wait for almost a day just to reach and see the beautiful shape of Mayon Volcano...

we love bohol...

...and every bit of it!




[2009.03.09]

Oooops!

Look at our reactions guys! :)

The kind staff of The Cordillera Inn in Vigan, Ilocos Sur took us a should-be-picture, which turned into an accidental video, that then became a source of good laugh to all of us. :D

bato springs

If you are planning to go to Bato Springs in San Pablo, Laguna, here is our itinerary that might be helpful in planning your trip...

rock rainy summer outing at bato springs

 fun . laughter . rockfriends . nature .

3-hour travel from Manila, Bato Springs in San Pablo, Laguna is a very nice place to go to during summer. With the coldness of its spring water, man-made falls and pools, you’ll definitely beat the summer heat.

Unfortunately, when we went there, it is already rainy season so we have to bear with the coldness of water. Superrrrrrr lamig ng tubig!!! brrrrr…

But, despite the weather, we still enjoyed swimming at the cold spring with free massage c/o of water falls and of course everyone will agree that the place is so beautiful because of its nature-inspired theme.